Well pump



J1me .9 2 H. J. PANKRATZ 2,288,142

WELL PUMP F'iI ed March 27, 1941 2 Sheets-Shae}, l

INVENTOR HOWARD J. PANKRAT z M .w m a F\A i: o V \m 3 2 w June 30, 1942. H. J. PANKRATZ 2,288,142

WELL PUMP Filed March 27. 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FIG. 3 HOWARD J. PANKRATZ efflciently for this purpose.

Patented K June 30,1942 i WELL PUMP Howard J. Pankratz, Bartlesville, Okla, assignmto Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Application March 27, 1941, Serial No. 385,566

4 Claims.

In reservoirs in which relatively large amounts of gas or at least where .gas occurs in sufiicient quantities to assist materiallyin lifting oil to the surface, it is often a serious problem to control this gas so that it can be used properly and- As oil with its dissolved gases in the oil bearing formation flows toward and enters the wellbore, pressure reduction occurs and free gas will be evolved from the oil-gas solution and dissipated at the surface of the oil in the well as lost energy unless it is properly controlled for use in the casing- When wells cease to flow-naturally, it is common practice to run a string of tubing with a packer installed near the reservoir 'so that the energy of the gas may be used-directly in lifting the oil to the surface. method will often prolong the life of a flowing well, but, there may come a, time when the ratio of gas to oil is too great and a large amount of the gas energy will be dissipated through the tubing string without doing useful work in lifting oil and the oil will be obstructed in its flow to the 'well bore by the creation of a gaseous condition inthe sand or in the formation immediately surrounding the well. The opposite condition may exist in which the oil is predominant and there is not sum-- 1 cient gas to lift all the oil that comes to the well bore and under this condition the well will cease to flow.- Under either of these conditions remedial measures must be applied.

In the former case, it is common practice to segregate the gas and oil horizons either by the installation of a packer by which procedure the gas may be produced in the annular space belifting oil involves adding suflicientextraneous gas energy to cause the well to flow.

An important object of this invention is to provide a surface controlled pumping apparatus;

that can be adapted to a well when it ceases to flow naturally and in doing so will make use the following detailed description and are at-' tained by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this speciwould otherwise be wasted, or may make use of gas energy supplied from a source outside of the well, for lifting purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide pumping apparatus of the character indicated which can be controlled from the surface and that requires only one string of tubing to operate it and conduct the well fluid to the surface. This feature also permits the apparatus to be lowered or raised to any desired point without the necessity of removing or disturbing other well equipment.

Other objects and advantages of this tion reside in its simplicity of design, low cost of construction, and ease of installation.

These and other objects not at this time more particularly enumerated-will be apparent from fication. a

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of this invention, like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is an elevation view, partly in vertical section, showing'a well equipped with pumping apparatus constructed in accordance with chamber IShaving a perforated pipe or bull plug of gas energy originating in thewell and which this invention and adapted for using extraneous gas to lift the well fluid;v A

Figure 2 is a similar view with the apparatus I adapted for using gas evolved from the formation to ,lift the well fluid;

Figure 3 ma vertical sectional view through the pump proper showing the location of the packer with respect to the pump mechanism Referring now more particularlyto the drawings, the numeral 12 indicates the well casing within which is the tubing string 24 attached at thesurfacelto a power drive head. 40 adapted to rotate or oscillate the tubing string. Figure '3 shows the lower end of tubing string 24 with the pump structure positioned thereon. This structure consists of a valve body 22, a valve 23 positioned therein, and a fluid accumulation ID with a standing valve attached thereto. A downpipe IS in chamber l3 completes this part of the assembly. i

inven- Valve 23 is held in valve body 22 by a ball bearing 29 and outer ring nut I8 which is threaded to the valve body 22 at its upper end. Inner ring nut I6 in'turn is threaded to the tubing string 24. At the lower end bearing 2| and outer ring nut I9. serve to connect valve 23 with body 22. Inner ring nut I1 of this assembly is threaded to downpipe I and connects it thereto for a purpose hereinafter described. I

In the upper portion of valve 23 is an axial bore 31, in alignment with tubing 24, at the lower end of which are the radial passages 36, Figures 3 and 4. 'Valve 23 also has an axial bore 38 in its lower part which communicates with one or more radial passages 3|, Figures 3 and 5. A recessed portion 35 in valve body 22 communicates with the passages 36. Radial ports or passages 32 connect with passages 3| which in turn communicate with the axial bore 30 in valve 23. In addition to these, vertical passages 34 in-valve bod 22 extend from the bottom thereof to the recessed portion 35, as shown in.Figures 3.4, and 5.

Valve 23 is free to rotate or oscillate, when a v in relation to valve body 22 by means of bearings 20 and 2| as described above. Rotation or oscillation of valve 23 will cause passages 3| to move in to or out of communication with passages 32. Thus when valve 23 is turned so that passages 3I and 32 are in alignment, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the annular space 33 directly communicates through axial bore 30, the interior 29 of downpipe I5, with annular space 28 in chamber member I3, and in turn by means of vertical passages 34 with recessed portion 35, passages 36, and axial bore 31 with the interior 38 of tubingstring 24,

A fluid accumulation chamber is formed by the attachment of chamber member I3 to the exterior of valve body 22. Threaded to its lower end,

as in conventional practice, is a perforated pipe or bull plug I0 and standing valve having a ball 21 therein. Downpipe- I5 is threaded by means of inner ring nut I1, to the lower end of valve 23 so that the interior 29 is in alignment with axial bore 36 of valve 23. of construction shown in Figure 3, downpipe I5 I remains stationary in relation to valve 23 which is free to rotate as above described.

Packer member I4 of standard and conventionaldesign is set in the. well so as to close the annular space between casing I2 and the pump structure as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Packer I4 is positioned either above or below the passages 32 depending upon whether the source of gas used is induced from the surface, Figures Figure 2. This packer I4 also serves to hold chamber member I3 with valve body 22, Figure 3, stationary in respect to well casing I2 when torque is applied to tubing string 24 from drive Due to the type 1 and 3, or is evolved from the formation as in head 40. It should be noted that due to the ing valve II and flows into annular space 28 ofchamber member I3. Fluid pressure may be sufflcient to raise the fluid into passage 29 of down- -pipe I5 and when passages 3| and 32 are aligned,

through into the annular space 33 of well casing I2.. Such a condition does not hinder operations and will not often be encountered wherethe pump .is properly positioned in the well.

When gas is evolved from a formation with sufficient volume and pressure to be utilized for lifting purposes; packer 'I4 is positioned above passages 32 as shown in Figure 2. Then the gas collects under packer I4 filling annular space 43 and enters passages 32. As valve 23 is turned by power transmitted from tubing string 24 and drive head 40 radial passages 3| come into alignment with passages 32 allowing the gas under pressure to flow through axial bore 30, the interior 29 of downpipe I6 into the bottom of fluid accumulation chamber I3. This gas under pressure seats ball 21 in standing valve II preventing further in-flow of well fluid through standing valve II, and which also prevents pressure being exerted on the well formation.

The incoming gas under pressure-from downpipe I5 is admitted to the interior 28 of chamber member I3 at the bottom thereof, see Figure 3, just above ball 21 of standing valve II. This not only tends to secure an eflicient seating of ball'21 but also causes a churning and frothing to take place within chamber member I3. A continued influx of gas then causes the froth and gassified liquid therein to rise through vertical passages 34, in valve body 22, to recessed portion 35 which communicates with radial passages 36 in valve 23, see Figures 3 and 4". Axial bore 31 in valve 23 being in communication with passages 36 and also with interior 38 of tubing string 24 completes the outlet passages for the well fluid from the interior 28 of chamber I3 to the tubing string 24 which in turn carries the well fluid to the surface in the conventional manner through the interior of drive head 49 to outlet pipe 42.

When the turning of valve 23 carries passages 3| out of alignment with passages 32 the entrance of gas under pressure from annular space 43 is cut oil. Excess gas within chamber I3 exhausts from annular space 28 serving to lift the frothed well fluid into tubing string 24 through the passages above described. When the pressure within chamber member I3 has decreased below that exerted by the fluid in the well bore, ball '21 will open allowing annular space 28 to again be filled ready for another influx of gas and the cycle of operations Just described including gas admission, froth formation, and ejection is repeated.

It is to be understood that the passages 3| and 32 are sized and so spaced that for any given speed of valve operation they will pass in and out of alignment allowing sufllcient time for chamber member I3 to be emptied of well fluid, exhaust excess gas, and refill before gas under pressure is again admitted to the interior 28 of chamber I3.

If this invention is to be used in a well where there is not sufficient gas evolved from a formation to operate this device, an outside source of gas or air is used. Packer I4 is then placed, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, below passages 32 in valve body 22. Gas or air under pressure is admitted from the surface through connection 4| to the annular space 39 between well casing I2 and tubing string 24. It will be seen from Figure '1 that this annular space 39 and annular space 33 are continuous. This gas or air enters passages 32 and is admitted to the fluid accumulation area 28 in chamber l3 when radial passages 3| and 32 are properly aligned. The alignment.

of passages and functioning of valve. 23, gas admission, froth formation; ejection, and operat:

of rotation the valve should operate for the maximum efficiency and lowest possible gas-oil ratio without actualtrials or tests in the well to be produced since conditions in no two wells are identical. Some installations operate most efficiently at a rate of approximately A R. P. M., while others operate satisfactorily at speeds of approximately 3 R. P. M. It is to be understood, however, that speed of valve rotation or oscillation may be varied within wide limits at any given well and for different wells and yet remain within the range of efflcient operation and thatthis invention is not limited to the range stated which was'for illustrative purposes only.

The air or gas necessary for lifting the oil or other fluid to the surface need not be at any deflnite pressure. However, there will be a pressure for each given well below which the fluid will not be lifted to the surface. At pressures higher than this minimum, the oil will be lifted to the surface, and the efiiciency of the operation for any given well will be dependent upon the distance the oil must be lifted, the size of the pump, the size of rotatable tubing, the air or gas pressure and other factors.

One factor to be noted in the operation of this fluid lifting pump is the frothing of the oil in the accumulation chamber 28. When the air or gas enters this accumulation chamber l3 at its bottom through downpipe l5 there is immediately scribed previously, by the introduction of addi-. tional air or gas into the bottom of said accumulation chamber. The air or gas continues to enter said chamber under its driving pressure until the chamber is essentially freed of froth, the entrance of said driving air or gas being controlled by the pressure thereon and by the speed of rotation of the valve 23. Since the oil or other fluid is frothed, and froth is specifically lighter per unit. of volume, the froth is therefore more easily lifted to the surface than would be a slug of relatively more dense liquid oil.

Since a froth of very low apparent specific.

gravity is much easier to lift than liquid oil of much higher specific gravity, the operation of this pump in any given well is relatively easy to start. This ease of starting may be contrasted with the relative dimculty of starting of conventional gas lift pumps which lift liquid oil in slugs rather than froth. This point will be understood andappreciated by those skilled in the art.

In order to absorb increased or decreased I length of the rotatable tubing 24 due to thermal expansion or contraction, a slip joint of conventional desi not shown, should be installed in tionof: awell casing; a barrel member stationary within the well casing comprising a fluid accumulation chamber and a rotatable valve associated therewith; said valve having an upper axial passage and a lower axial passage therein;.

a packer, and a gas accumulation chamber formed thereby between the well casing and the barrel member; a tubing string rotatably connected to the barrel member and rigidly attached to. said valve, said tubing string communicating with the upper axial passage in the valve; a passage within the barrel member placing the fluid accumulation chamber in communication with the upper axial passage in thevalve; a passage within the barrel member communicating with the exterior thereof to admit gas from'the gas accumulation chamber to the'fluid accumulation chamber upon alignment of the lower axial passage in said valve therewith; and means for controlling the flow of well fluid into the fluid accumulation pliamber.

2. In a well pump, the combination of: a well casing; a barrel member stationary within the well casing containing a fluid accumulation chamber and a rotatable valve associated therewith; said fluid accumulation chamber having a check-valved opening in the lower end thereof for controlling the flow of well fluid into said chamber; the rotatable valve having an axial passage at its upper and /lower ends, the upper axial passage having. a radial passage connecting thereto and the lower axial passage having a radial' passage connecting thereto; a tubing string attached to the said valve and rotatably connected to the barrel member at its upper end, said tubing string communicating with the upper axial passage in the valve; a passage within the barrel member placing the fluid. accumulation chamber in communication with the upper axial passage in theyalve; a gas inlet port within the barrel member communicating with the exterior thereof and with the fluid accumulation chamber upon alignment of the said lower axial passage in the valve therewith; and a packer member positioned between the well casing and the barrel member below the said gas inlet port.

3. In a deep well lifting means, the combination of: a well casing; a barrel member stationary within the well casing and having a fluid accumulation chamber therein and a rotatable valve associated therewith; the fluid. accumulathe lowe r end thereof for controlling the flow of a well fluid into said chamber; a tubing string -susthe tubing string near the pumping mechanism.

of tubing, the rotating valve is soon worn and becomes out of line and in a relatively short time pump failure results.

I It isto be understood that the form of the 'By location of the slip joint near the pump, thepended in the well casing rotatably attached to the barrel member and rigidly connected to said valve; said valve having an upper axial passage therein communicating with the tubing string and a lower axial passage communicating with the fluidaccumulation chamber; a passage within the barrel member connecting the fluid accumulation chamber and the upper axial passage in the valve; 9. gas inlet passage within the barrel member communicating with the exterlor thereof and with the lower axial passage in said valve at regular intervals during rotation of said valve; and a packer member positioned between the well casing and the bar rel member above the gas inlet passage.

4. In a well pump, the combination of: a well casing; a barrel member stationary within the well casing containing a fluid accumulation chamber therein and a valve body enclosing a rotatable element; the fluid accumulation chamber having a check valve in the lower end thereof to control the flow of well fluid into said chamber; a tubing string within the well casing rotatably connected to the barrel member and directly connected to the rotatable element in the valve body; said rotatable element having a passage in the upper part thereof communicating with the tubing string and a passage in the lower 1 museum part thereof communicating with the fluid ac-- cumulation chamber; a packer, and a gas ac- 1 cumulation chamber formed thereby between the well casing and the barrel member; a passage within the valve body communicating with the passage in the upper part of the rotatable element and the fluid accumulation chamber; and a second passage within the valve body communlcating with the exterior thereof to admit gas from the gasaccumulation chamber to the fluid accumulation chamber upon alignment of the passage in the lower part of the rotatable element therewith.

HOWARD J. PANmATZ. 

